A medium-strength typhoon, the most severe this year so far, slowly enveloped Taiwan on Friday, forcing flight cancellations and port closures after killing 11 people in the Philippines.

TAIPEI, May 26 (Reuters) - Nan Shan Life, American International Group's Taiwan insurance unit, has bought a Taipei office building for T$8.2 billion ($250 million), the latest sign of optimism about the property market ahead of a potential influx of Chinese investors.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou says his government has turned many of the island's challenges into opportunities over the past year. Speaking at a news conference in Taipei 12 months after taking office, he said Taiwan is "on the right track."

TAIPEI (AFP) – Taiwan's pro-independence opposition is hoping that more than half a million people will take to the capital's streets Sunday to protest President Ma Ying-jeou's China policies.

A pro-government think-tank has called for the development of a common Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland market within the next 30 years despite possible short-term financial losses for the city.

Taiwan's top negotiator with the mainland has resigned. Chiang Pin-kung, who heads the Straits Exchange Foundation, said he had tendered his resignation to President Ma Ying-jeou because of his age - 77 - and health.